Retired Boys and Girls Club Manager Remembered

In Loving Memory

1/10/2018, 11:45 a.m.

Linda K. White

Family and friends are mourning the death of Linda K White; a long time child activist and a retired manager of the Blazers' Boys and Girls Club. She died peacefully at home Jan. 5, 2018 after battling complications from diabetes.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Blazers' Boys and Girls Club; 5250 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blazers Boys and Girls Club in memory of Linda K. White.

Robert Henry Cerv, Sr., 91, better known as Bob passed on to his heavenly host on Thursday, April 6, 2017 in Blair, NE.

Bob was born to his parents Anton and Henrietta (Staska) Cerv on May 5, 1925 in Weston, Nebraska, a small town west of Wahoo, NE. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII until he was honorably discharged. On June 5, 1948, Bob was united in marriage to Phyllis Pelton at St. John Nepomucene Church in Weston, NE.

Bob was an eight time letter winner at the University of Nebraska in both basketball and baseball. He signed with the New York Yankees in 1950. He played with the Yankees until 1956, and then was traded to the Kansas City Athletics in 1957. In 1958, Bob hit 38 home runs and was elected to the A.L. All-Star Team.

He went back to the Yankees in 1961 and roomed with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, a great threesome. He also teamed with Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Bobby Richardson, Elston Howard, and others. In 1962, Bob’s playing career came to an end as he was released by the Houston Colts.

After baseball, Bob coached at John F. Kennedy College in Wahoo and later Sioux Empire College in Hawarden, Iowa.

He won the NBC Tournament one summer in Wichita, Kansas while managing the Liberal B.J.’s a semi-professional baseball team. One player stated that Bob was a great coach while sitting on a five gallon pail. Bob swung a bat that was very similar to a six foot post-unbelievably heavy.

Bob was really a quite modest man about his baseball background and he always said his greatest accomplishment in life was his ten children.

Obituary for Connie Mae Dillow

Connie Mae Dillow was born September 30, 1931 in Stanley, North Dakota to Franklin C. and Helen (Rude) Isaacson. Connie graduated from Minot High School in 1949 and attended Minot State Teachers College for two years. In 1953, Connie earned a Bachelors Degree and, in 1954, a Masters Degree in Dramatic Arts from the University of Minnesota.
She met Ted at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa where she was running the theater department and he was teaching and serving as the college chaplain but she moved to New York City in 1956 to pursue her dream of acting professionally. During her three years in NYC, Connie acted in several off Broadway shows and also taught acting classes. She also appeared on several variety shows on television. She taught at The Boy’s Club at Brick Presbyterian Church while in New York City. Ted travelled to New York City to propose to Connie and bring her back to Fairfield. They were married in Fairfield on February 1, 1960 and continued their work at Parsons College until they moved to Wahoo in 1965 where Ted served as Dean and President and Connie was the head of the theater department. She continued in that job until the college closed in 1975. In 1978, Connie became the first teacher for the Lincoln Public Schools Advanced Theatre Company which brought advanced theater students from all LPS high schools together for a semester of 90-minute master classes on all aspects of theater, and staging a full production. Connie had a way with young people, and yet she held them to her own high standards. The plays she chose for her Advanced Theater Company were all great classics. Connie began teaching theater part time at Wahoo High School in 1979 where she shared her infinite passion for theater with hundreds of students. Her excitement ignited passion in others. She often said that her job was to let her students “taste drama and literature and wallow in them.” She retired from teaching in 2006.
In conjunction with her role as a teacher, and her strong involvement in the Kid’s Summer Institute, Connie embraced her role as a mother raising four children. Finally, in 1994, she returned to the stage for the first time in 31 years, appearing in “You Can’t Take it With You” at Lincoln Community Playhouse. In 1995, Connie earned a Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Daisy in “Driving Miss Daisy.” In 1998, she was inducted into the Educational Theatre Association Hall of Fame at the association’s National Conference in San Diego, CA. Among her other many honors was winning the Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Arts Education in 2012.
She is survived by her children Eric (Kathy) Dillow of Papillion, Tanya (Mike) McArtor of Grant NE, Tamra (Rob) Spykstra of Davenport IA, Tori (Jeff) Ryan of Lincoln; grandchildren Carl Dillow, Allison Dillow, Heidi Dillow, James McArtor, Sam McArtor, Zachariah Spykstra, Caleb Spykstra, Seth Spykstra, Emily Spykstra, David Ryan, Michael Ryan, Hannah Ryan and Jonathan Ryan; brother Bill (Jane) Isaacson, Stanley ND. Connie was preceded in death by her parents Franklin and Helen (Rude) Isaacson, and husband Ted Dillow.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or Lincoln Community Playhouse.

Saunders County loses legend

WAHOO -- Saunders County native and Major League ball player Bob Cerv, 91, died April 6 at Carter Place in Blair.

A native of Weston, Cerv was a well-know Major League Baseball player throughout the 1950’s and into the early 1960’s. He began his professional career with the KC Blues minor league team, before being recruited by the New York Yankees.

Cerv played for the Yankees alongside Rodger Maris and Mickey Mantel.

He retired from baseball in 1962. He returned to Saunders County and coached baseball and men’s basketball at John F. Kennedy College in Wahoo.

He coached throughout the college’s existence from 1965 to 1975.

Cerv grew up on a farm west of Weston and graduated from Weston in 1943.

Cerv was a four-year letterman in basketball and baseball at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Last fall, a group of local men that knew Cerv began organizing a tribute at the park in Weston.

The five-foot tall monument will include a detailed list of Cerv’s life accomplishments.

Organizers have yet to identify a completion date.

Friend and John F Kennedy alum Don Clark said Cerv always put faith and family first in his life.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. John Nepomucene Church in Weston.

Visitation is Sunday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary at the church.

It is with great saddens that I am informing you of the death of Connie Dillow. She had been suffering from Alzheimers for several
years. Now she can finally be rejoined with her beloved Ted.

Connie was my mentor. I was a Speech and Drama Major and any of us who had Connie for a professor were blessed to have her.
As well as being a fabulous and enthusiastic teacher she was a devoted wife and mother. I worked for her in her office and also babysat for her children. She was tireless in preparing for her classes and her play productions and at the same time making sure her family was taken care of. She would be ironing Ted's shirts at 2:00 in the morning, I could go on and on but suffice is to say "I loved that woman".

It is my sad duty to let you all know that one of the nicest and greatest of our JFK College professors died recently in Lincoln. Arven Reynolds who taught at JFK from 1967 to the college's closing in 1975 died on July 21, 2016. Mr. Reynolds who later served as Academic Dean for the college was 89 years old. I remember as a freshman in the fall of 1967, he was named advisor to the Class of '71 and was there to help us through those first months of college life. And did he look like a college professor, his rich baritone voice, his pipe and could quote Shakespeare freely. If Hollywood would send out to casting, he would have gone the part. Unknown to many of in the last year's of the college, he was willing to forgo his salary so many of his student's could graduate. Later after the college closed he became the Executive Director for Continuing Legal Education in Nebraska, which is where our paths crossed again when I was President of the Nebraska State Social Studies Council. I'm sure many of us who went into education, used Mr. Reynold's as a role model. I did attend his funeral as a representative of the Alumni Association and share for all of you to Mrs. Reynold's and her children the memories many of us shared of him.

It is with much sadness that I am sending this. John was a wonderful friend to Mike & I during our JFK years. We had so much fun and the stories we could tell about this man could fill a book. Unfortunately I hadn't noticed that his e-mails of jokes and stories had stopped so didn't think to inquire. Consequently I do not know what type of cancer he was battling or for how long, I am planning on calling his wife in a few days and if I have more info I will... pass it on. Sometimes our lives get in the way and we do not stay in contact with dear friends the way we should. Then something like this happens and you end up kicking yourself saying "Why didn't I just make a phone call to check in?" Opportunity lost . Just know John that we love you, loved the wonderful years we spent with you and will never forget you and when we do think of you it will always be with a big smile on our face, remembering that wonderful smile and laugh of yours.
Sally, John V.Greece: Passed Sunday, May 10, 2015 at 2:20 PM after a heroic battle with cancer. He is survived by Rita, his devoted wife of 25 years, daughter Jennifer (Jim Malley) Sally, son Vincent (Maria Mammano) Sally, step-daughter Kelly (Rick) Hobbins, step-son Tony (Lida Moore) Camarata, and 5 adored grandsons Jude Malley, Dean Sally and Adam, Mark and Sean Hobbins, brother Robert (Jill) Sally, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters-in-law and many friends. Also, his devoted business associate and office manager Vanza McEntee.John was a graduate of Manlius Military Academy and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kennedy College in Nebraska. He taught briefly before finding his niche in the insurance industry which led to ownership of the John V. Sally Agency. John loved to travel, cook, entertain and golf. He was a 17 year member of Ridgemont Country Club which was his second home. A testament to his beautiful heart was how he loved all 4 children as his own, and that love was returned. Beautiful man, heart and soul.

John was a graduate of Manlius Military Academy and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kennedy College in Nebraska. He taught briefly before finding his niche in the insurance industry which led to ownership of the John V. Sally Agency. John loved to travel, cook, entertain and golf. He was a 17 year member of Ridgemont Country Club which was his second home. A testament to his beautiful heart was how he loved all 4 children as his own, and that love was returned. Beautiful man, heart and soul.

We thank Wilmot Cancer/UR Med and Lifetime Care for their treatment, compassion and sincere effort.

Friends may call Thursday 2-7 at the funeral home, 777 Long Pond Road (between English & Latta). Funeral Mass, 9:30 Friday at Our Mother of Sorrows Church. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wilmot Cancer/UR Med or Lifetime Care.

Hi JFK alumni group......here is the information that Kitty's sister Christine shared with me in the Obituary of Kitty's life. Not sure how to post to the JFK alumni page on "remembrances." I actually am locked out of getting on...can someone direct me as to how to get back onto the site?

If anyone in the Wahoo area knows who the musical director of the New Generation group was please share with him...I have forgotten his name and any of the others in the New Generation who knew Kitty. We had an awesome group of singers back then with the group! and in the theater group with Mrs. Dillow.

Please keep Kitty in your prayers and also her siblings and family as they grieve for the loss of their loved one. Please share with others that you know from the college during the time we were students there 1971-1974. Christine also attended JFK but only for a short time so we have renewed old friendships.

Rich sends his best to everyone as well from here in Upstate NY.

Debbie and Rich
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Deb

Here is what I sent to the Union Leader. Kitty approved it minutes before she fell asleep for the last time. How many of us get to do that?

Thanks for getting this information to those you think would want to know at JFK.

= = = = =
Christine

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

Christine
= = = = = = = = =

Katherine Louise [Riley] James 1953 – 2015

On April 16, 2015, Kitty [Riley] James chose to end her 55-year battle with Type I Diabetes at her home in Nashville, TN. She was 62.

Kitty was born in Manchester, NH, to Paul Jordan and Frances Louise [Hartnett] Riley. Growing up in Manchester, the oldest of three girls, she was a participant of Blessed Sacrament, St. Anne’s, and later St. Joseph Cathedral. In her adult life, she was a decades-long follower of the teachings of the Church of Scientology, working for the organization for many years before retiring in 2012.

She attended Manchester schools [Blessed Sacrament School, McDonald School, Immaculata High School] before graduating from Manchester Central High School in 1971. She later attended Juliet Gibson School in Boston,MA, John F. Kennedy College in Wahoo, NE, and Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO. For much of her adult life, she worked in the fields of legal and church administration.

She is predeceased by both parents, and is the widow of Fred James formerly of Boston MA. She is survived by her husband, Mike Walimaa of Nashville, TN; son Benjamin Moses, his wife Emily and their children Sylvia and Ari, of Charlottesville, VA; son Eddie Semrad of Dallas, TX; sister Christine Riley and her husband Michael Koza of Asheville, NC; her sister Karen Godzyk and her husband, Chuck of Tucson AZ, and their children Mark, Chris and Beth.

From her very early years, Kitty was known for her beautiful singing voice, her quick and contagious laugh, and her deep and abiding appreciation for very bad puns.

Kitty has requested that there be no formal memorial services. She has donated her body to scientific research
in Nashville, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pediatric Research Fund of the Joslin Diabetes Clinic in Boston, MA.
Follow this link -- Joslin Clinic -- or mail check to Joslin Clinic, One Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215.

If you would like the family's address to send a note you can request it from Lynette.